Everyday new worries popping!

[theapparatus]

Hello friends,

I am going to apply 4-5 sociology, and 1 gender studies PhD.

But everytime, something pops to increase my anxiety level.

Now, I have studied in a very stupid program in a top 5 university: English Teaching as A Second Language. I was a student that my teachers liked and found clever and hardworking. But of course I was not mad at being the honors student of the department with trickery in the exams like all my fellows have always did. I was just sitting and watching them write what they might need during the exam onto their tables... It was a stupid 4 years.

Finally, I got a GPA of 2.91.

Then, I started masters one year after in Women's Studies in the same university. It is the first in WS in my country.

There, I was so much applauded for my ideas. I am in the top 3 choice of my professors out of a cohort of 20-30.

Well,, there, I got a GPA of 3.07....

Why? I started pychotheraphy, given anti-depressants, bashed by a professor because I did not write '' men hegemony '' but '' hegemony of some genders/sexualities over others'' thus she got mad at me and gave me the low marks...

Now, I hope some sociology departments do not care a GPA from a department about technics of teaching. Secondly, my Master was dominated by early feminists and our interests did not match in Women's Studies. This is the reason of a low GPA (3.07) and why I am applying to the programs in USA.

I have good reference letters, one presentation experience in an international PhD meeting, and interesting writing sample, articles on web and a SOP.

Now, do they care Master GPA or Bachelor? This things will put me into trouble? And, this is why I am applying to these programs: I have been to departments whose philosophies don't match mine. This is the reason of low GPAs. But I have international experience and my teachers think I can do in America and I should go.

Please, tell me some things... I do not want my dreams get soaked.

p.s: I am also going to apply top 20 universities. but mostly top 30.

Edited September 21, 2011 by AcademicalFreak

[emmm]

They care about both, and yours are quite low, so I'm not sure how much of a boost you can expect from having a master's. Perhaps your LORs can address how your grades are not truly indicative of your potential. If you try to explain why your grades are so low, well, it just sounds as though you are making excuses.

[theapparatus]

They care about both, and yours are quite low, so I'm not sure how much of a boost you can expect from having a master's. Perhaps your LORs can address how your grades are not truly indicative of your potential. If you try to explain why your grades are so low, well, it just sounds as though you are making excuses.

i think my professors can help me about this. because they really support me for pursuing PhD in my research interest.

[butterfingers2010]

You could always try to apply to some "safety schools." Different schools have different GPA requirements so you could try to find a few that have a lower GPA requirement and apply to those. You should also really focus on your essay as that could be your selling point. That's your golden opportunity to show them how smart and really capable you are by expressing yourself well and demonstrating that you have intelligent ideas and interests.